Texans TE Graham apprenticing under Daniels

Brother BadgersRookie Garrett Graham is apprenticing under Owen Daniels, a fellow Wisconsin alum who knows a thing or two about playing tight end

JORDAN GODWIN, Copyright 2010 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Sunday, August 8, 2010

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

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Garrett Graham has consistently received plenty of playing time in camp, usually running with the second or third team.

Garrett Graham has consistently received plenty of playing time in camp, usually running with the second or third team.

Photo: Brett Coomer, Chronicle

Texans TE Graham apprenticing under Daniels

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When Texans rookie tight end Garrett Graham caught a pass and ran up the middle of the field in Saturday’s practice, thousands of fans cheered.

“Not sure I deserved all that, but it sure was nice,” Graham said. “I’m just trying to work my way in and contribute to the team in any way I can.”

For most rookies, it takes a spectacular play to get a reaction from the crowd, simply because the fans keep a close eye on the well-known starters rather than the newcomers. But Graham is an exception to the rule because he’s temporarily filling the shoes and playing in the shadow of starter and fan favorite Owen Daniels.

It’s hard to ignore the similarities.

Daniels (6-3, 243) is a tight end in his fifth season as a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin. Graham (6-3, 241) is a tight end in his first season as a fourth-round pick out of Wisconsin.

Same mold

Their years as Badgers gave them subtle differences. Daniels played in 43 games and had 62 receptions for 852 yards. He was considered a good receiving tight end but didn’t blossom into elite status until he joined the Texans.

Graham enters his professional career with an impressive résumé of 121 receptions for 1,492 yards, all in fewer games (40).

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When the Texans drafted Graham in April, Daniels was one of the first people to enter his mind when thinking about his new franchise. The two knew each other when Graham was a redshirt freshman and Daniels was a senior at Wisconsin.

“I always try to help out the younger guys, but we have a different connection,” Daniels said. “We had a previous relationship, and I’ve kept in touch with him over the years. We’re a little more comfortable with each other because we knew each other before.”

Graham has had the good fortune of walking into an apprenticeship with one of the most successful tight ends in the NFL over the past few seasons. Daniels has been rehabilitating his surgically repaired anterior cruciate ligament in camp, but he’s often on the sideline, giving Graham advice.

Always available

“He’s right there every play,” Graham said. “If I have a question about technique or something, he’s there to explain things to me every play. He’s been a huge help for me so far, and I’ve been really thankful for all the help he’s been giving me.”

Graham has received plenty of playing time in camp, usually running with the second or third team.

Platoon in camp

With Daniels and Anthony Hill on the physically unable to perform list, Graham has split time with current starter Joel Dreessen and backup James Casey. Graham said adjusting to the system has been a learning process, and he has been working on learning the offensive playbook.

“He’s working hard, but it’s tough,” Daniels said. “As a tight end in this offense, they throw so many things at you in so many different spots.”

Daniels said he has developed a respect for the rookie because of how he handles his business off the field. Because they emerged from an offensive system at Wisconsin that focuses on similar offensive strategies, Daniels has helped Graham in his understanding of the offense.

Daniels’ receiving talents at Wisconsin paved the way for later tight ends such as Graham to have a more active role in the offense than he did. Now that the tight end has become a major part of the Texans’ offense, some people think Graham might have the talent to step into Daniels’ role eventually.

The right attitude

“He’s working his butt off and staying quiet,” Daniels said. “I’m helping out as much as I can because it’s always great to help out a fellow UW alum.”